Trade Alert: Jets Land Kris Jenkins

This morning the New York Jets shockingly landed Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins for a 3rd round pick. While Jenkins’ career has been riddled with injuries as of late, you can’t deny his unbelievable talent. He was the greatest defensive tackle in the game not very long ago.

Still only 29 years-old, Kris Jenkins should still have a few solid years left in the NFL. In addition, the incredible athleticism that Jenkins brings to the table should greatly improve the New York Jets’ dreadful defense.

While I do consider this trade to be great news for the New York Jets, there are still some questions that need answering.

First, will Jenkins recover from his injuries? Second, can Jenkins adjust to life in a 3-4 defense? While Jenkins undoubtedly has the right size for the defensive scheme (335 pounds), the role of a defensive tackle in a 3-4 is quite different from a 4-3. Rather than emphasizing breaking through the line and making a tackle, as encouraged in a 4-3 defense, 3-4 defensive tackles are typically utilized to draw double teams from the offensive line, in hopes of opening holes for the linebackers to get to the running back.

While Jets fans must keep these doubts in mind, I do feel that Jenkins will be able to make the adjustment. This should be an exciting year for the New York Jets.